Whenever I’m in need of inspiration for something, I can always count on the past. And if you do as well, and you’ve never had a look at the Library of Congress online collection, you might want to. All these photos deal with craft and war. I love how of our cultural current definition of masculinity is challenged a bit in the first photo, a soldier knitting* quietly, with pin up photos in the background. The second and third are two different groups of women, both knitting for “their” soldiers.
Plus, how cool are the uniforms in the second photo?
[Note: how much his creation differs from that of German POW Jim Simpson. Not making a political statement, just interesting. Also: I’m not technically sure what the heck the guy above is doing, as it looks more like he’s making friendship bracelets than knitting?]
1st and 3rd photographs: Bain Collection, 2nd: Harris & Ewing Collection
These are great, Betsy. Knitting and handwork is a way of calming our anxiety AND producing something useful (often). I find the juxapostion of war and knitting reassuring in a way. I visited a military museum recently, and saw a dress made for a child out of parachutes (WW2). I wrote about it, and the blog entry is scheduled to be up on the 9th (with a photo). I thought of you when I ended with the line about it being an example of craftivism. :-)
Thanks so much, Judith for your awesome comments and support! Also, excited to see your blog post on that parachute dress. (How cool and *definitely* craftivism!)